GAELFAM PhD Scholarship

The University of Galway invites applications for a fully funded PhD scholarship as part of the GAELFAM project, affiliated with the College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Celtic Studies. This exciting opportunity is open to candidates interested in exploring the everyday linguistic experiences of families in the Irish Gaeltacht who use languages other than or in addition to Irish or English at home. The successful candidate will focus on adolescents within these families, conducting ethnographic research in both community and school settings.

The GAELFAM project offers a unique chance to develop advanced research skills, including conducting semi-structured interviews, case studies, and peer-led interviews in schools. The PhD researcher will analyze project data, contribute to scholarly publications, and present findings at national and international conferences. Additional responsibilities include helping to organize a conference and a youth-led event at the University of Galway. The position is supervised by Dr. Cassie Smith-Christmas, an expert in sociolinguistics and multilingualism.

The scholarship provides a generous tax-free living allowance of €25,000 per annum and covers EU tuition fees (€5,750 per annum) for two years. The candidate will work with the supervisor to apply for external funding for the third and fourth years of the PhD. The start date is September 1, 2026, and the position runs through December 14, 2027, subject to satisfactory progress.

Applicants must hold an honours BA (high 2.1 or international equivalent) in applied linguistics, a relevant language, or another social science field. A minimum IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent is required for those without a degree from an English-speaking context. Desirable qualifications include fluency in Irish (C1 or C2), excellent written communication skills in Irish and English, a Master’s-level qualification, experience working with adolescents, fluency in additional languages, and experience with ethnographic research. Garda-vetting is required.

To apply, combine your academic CV, cover letter or personal statement, transcripts, and a writing sample into a single PDF named with your surname. Email this PDF with the subject line ‘GAELFAM PhD scholarship’ to [email protected] by April 30, 2026. Informal enquiries are welcome. For more information about moving to Ireland, visit euraxess.ie.